Wildcats balance work with fun on Christmas

TEMPE, Ariz. — Surrounded by palm trees and working under a sunny sky and temperatures near 70 degrees, Christmas day had an unusual feel for the Kansas State football team.

"It’s definitely nice down here," defensive end Ryan Mueller said. "Everybody is in T-shirts and shorts.

"I’ve never spent a Christmas practicing football before so it’s a little new. A lot of the guys can’t be with their families and that’s a little disappointing, but this team is a family. Obviously, I’d rather spend it with my true family but this is a family atmosphere at Kansas State and these are my brothers so it’s a great way to spend it."

The Wildcats had an afternoon practice at Corona del Sol High School, but after the work was completed there was time for fun. A trip to a video game arcade followed by a team dinner was on the agenda as the Wildcats get ready to play Michigan in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl on Saturday.

"It’s the first time to actually practice on Christmas so it’s kind of weird, but that’s what happens when you have a bowl game early," receiver Tyler Lockett said. "We’re not used to it but after we practice we get to enjoy Christmas."

K-State’s bowl games the past two seasons were in January, including the Fiesta Bowl last year in the Phoenix area, which gives the Wildcats a sense of familiarity.

"We’ve been here before so we know the place," Lockett said. "We’ve been enjoying ourselves and eating at places we don’t have in Manhattan like Wing Stop, but I haven’t been to In and Out Burger, yet."

The Wildcats enjoyed a feast on Christmas eve at Fogo de Chao, a Scottsdale restaurant where they were able to chow down on 13 different cuts of steak, chicken and sausage.

"It was the best meal I ever had in my life," linebacker Blake Slaughter said.

While finding time to enjoy the experience, the Wildcats haven’t lost track of their main objective, which is to snap a five-game losing streak in bowl games.

"It’s understanding that you have to have some down time for yourself, some time in the (hotel) room to relax and put your feet up and get your body and mind right," Slaughter said. "You enjoy the time you have and enjoy your teammates when it’s time to relax, but when it’s time to practice, it’s time to practice."

Coach Bill Snyder said the practice schedule, after arriving here Monday, has followed a normal routine.

"The first practice (Monday) was not what I’d hoped for but (Tuesday) was a much better practice, much improved," Snyder said. "It’s a regular week of practice for us just like we’d have during the season."

ZIMMERMAN WORKS OUT — Free safety Ty Zimmerman was on the field for practice Wednesday, the first 15 minutes of which were open to the media, but offensive guard Keenan Taylor was in street clothes and kicker Jack Cantele wasn’t practicing.

Zimmerman missed the last two games with a leg injury, as did Cantele, and Taylor didn’t play the last three games with a knee injury.

Asked about their playing status, Snyder responded, "Hope to play, but you never know."

GOOD FOOTING — The Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl will be played at the 71,706-seat Sun Devil Stadium on the Arizona State campus with a natural surface of hybrid Bermuda grass.

It will be the Wildcats’ only game on grass this season.

"We’ve been on turf all of our games so we have to learn how to switch things up and be on top of our fundamentals because you will fall or slip if you’re not on your fundamentals with grass," Lockett said.

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